City to charge hockey group for concession use

Thursday

Dec 12, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Brady Hebert

For the first time in three years, the Cheboygan City Council has decided to charge a fee to the Cheboygan Hockey Association, CHA, for use of the concession stand at the city's ice rink pavilion.
At Tuesday's regular board meeting, the council voted unanimously to charge the CHA $300 per month for the 2013-2014 hockey season for the use of the concession stand.
The CHA had not been charged the previous two years and was told last year a fee would be charged for the 2013-2014 hockey season (November-February), according to rink manager Craig Coxe. He said the fee would allow for the use of the space and the utilities and would help curb costs to the rink.
Kevin Hansz, CHA board member, was on hand to explain what the association does with the funds made from the concession stand.
“Our number one priority is to offer affordable hockey to every youth that wants to play. Not everybody can afford to play. Unfortunately hockey is a very expensive sport to play. We have several families that come to the association and say that they cannot afford it. We don't turn them away. And the reason we don't turn them away are the funds that are generated from the concession stand,” said Hansz.
Hansz said the CHA uses the funds to offer reduced rates to families that cannot pay the normal cost of playing. The CHA offers a free first-year program for the under six-year-old age bracket, and a half-priced second year for them as well.
“In the under six program, 14 kids are enjoying free hockey this season. Nine kids are paying the reduced rate. That money that should have been paid is being paid for by revenue from the concession stand,” said Hansz.
Hansz explained that CHA is dedicated to the kids and the sustainability of the program.
“We want to sustain it for our generation and the next generation. We don't want to have that building sitting empty and not used.”
Coxe said that the arena is one of the only area rinks that does not charge user groups for use of the concession area.
City Manager Dale Stuart added that the arena has a number of expensive improvements that are necessary, including dehumidifiers, generators and repairs to the roof. He also pointed out that the pavilion lost $17,000 last year.
Mayor Richard Sangster said that he has been getting input from people who want to rent the stand, and wonder as taxpayers why the city doesn't charge fa fee. At this time, the CHA is the only group that runs the stand.
Councilman Vaughn Temple asked Hansz if the CHA had ever thought about fundraisers to bring in revenue for the association.
Hansz said that the CHA has local businesses that sponsor teams and jerseys, and that fundraisers the association has explored haven't come close to the revenue generated from the concession stand.
He added at the slow economy of late has created more families that need the free and reduced rates.
Mayor Pro Tem Nicholas Couture said that he greatly appreciates what the CHA does for kids and families, but the times have changed for the city as well.
“We have the same set of responsibilities and pitfalls that (the CHA) is facing. We have a building that we are taking care of, and we are in the red. ...We want the CHA to thrive, and I'm sure everyone in this room does. ...We have to figure out what is best for everybody, and we have to include the constituents of the city that we have a responsibility for,” said Couture.
In other action, the council approved a change from a November odd numbered year city election date to a November even numbered year date. The change was the second of a two-step process to make the move under Michigan Bureau of Elections regulations.
The city will realize a savings of $2,000-$2,500 per election cycle with the elimination of the biennial May City Election.
The council also approved the opening of a brokerage account for the city in order to accept a transfer of $1,000 in stock from David Hubbard. Hubbard recently contacted the city and wished to make the donation to help fund the Cheboygan Recreation Center.
Trudy Lofgren asked the council in during the public comment portion of the meeting if any steps were being made to replace the flagpole in Washington Park that was blown down in a recent storm.
Stuart said the city is getting price estimates from two different sources, and that the pole would most likely not be replaced until the spring of next year.

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